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Launch SuccessfulChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Long March 8: SpaceSail Polar Group #5

18 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites with Ku, Q and V band payloads for the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) with funding backed by the Shanghai local government. Initial constellation will consist of 1296 satellites by 2027 with long term plans to expand it to 12000 satellites. First launch from the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site's LC-1.

Tuesday, 11 March 202516:38 UTC
Long March 8: SpaceSail Polar Group #5

Mission Data

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
🇨🇳China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationEst. 1999
Launch VehicleLong March 8
Vehicle FamilyLong March
Vehicle Record6 of 6 launches (100%)
Provider TypeGovernment
Agency Record606 successes / 16 failures (97%)
Success Streak13 consecutive
Mission TypeCommunications
Target OrbitPolar Orbit
Launch PadCommercial LC-1
Location🇨🇳 Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China CHN
Orbital Launches This Year#47
Agency Launches This Year#9
Launches From This Pad15
Launches From This Site76
Status Note

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

About Long March 8

Long March 8 (Chinese: 长征八号运载火箭) is an orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology to launch up to 5000 kg to a 700 km altitude Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The rocket is based on the Long March 7 with its first stage and 2 out of its 4 boosters, along with the existing liquid hydrogen burning 3rd stage of the Long March 3A/3B/3C and 7A as its 2nd stage. A "Core Only" version omitting the boosters is also available.

Launch updates

  1. Launch success.

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  2. Liftoff.

  3. Launch scheduled for NET March 11 per new NOTAMs.

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  4. NET January.

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  5. Launch postponed and confirmed by cancellation of drop zone air/marine space closure notices.

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  6. Updated tentative launch window per NOTAMs.

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  7. Adding launch.

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Launch Site

Commercial LC-1 · 19.5973°N 110.9308°E

Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.